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Home › Baby Names Directory › Herbert

Herbert

♂ Boy

Pronounced HERR-buhrt /ˈhɜɹ.bəɹt/Medium

Meaning: ArmyMedium

In 30 seconds: Herbert is an English boy's name rooted in Germanic elements, traditionally tied to the sense of 'army' and brightness.
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Origin MediumEnglish, Dutch, German
MeaningArmy
U.S. rank (2025)#2656 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births49 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1928
Total births (all-time)≈ 228,260

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192818802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Herbert came into English from Germanic roots, with the early forms Haribert and Charibert reflecting an 'army' element. It was carried to Britain in the Norman period and has stayed in steady use ever since, with Spanish and Portuguese giving us Heriberto and Herberto.

It is a name of stature in public life, worn by U.S. President Herbert Hoover and British Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith. That gives Herbert a dignified, statesmanlike weight even as its sound feels classically old-fashioned.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Herbert is 'army', and that core idea is what gives the name most of its long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 78%
Behind the Name - Herbert — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

HaribertCharibertHarjaberhtazHerbertoHeriberto

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)
    31st President of the United States.
  • ★Herbert Henry Asquith (1852–1928)
    British Prime Minister, 1908 to 1916.

If you like Herbert…

Heriberto— The Spanish form of Herbert, a listed variation with the same root.
Hart— another English name
Harley— another English name
Harlow— lands in the same popularity range
Harris— shares Herbert's English roots

Explore names like Herbert

By themeenglishgerman
By meaningWarrior

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Herbert mean?

Herbert is usually explained as meaning 'army' and is most often linked with English tradition.

How do you pronounce Herbert?

It's commonly said HERR-buhrt /ˈhɜɹ.bəɹt/.

Is Herbert a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Herbert is used as a boy name.

How popular is Herbert?

In 2024, Herbert ranked #2482 in the U.S. for boys, with 55 births recorded.

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